ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 834, 4 June 1910, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

THE TIMING CONTROVERSY. SOME GOOD SENSE AT LAST. (By "Mercury.") The discussion on the timing questionalways an interesting topic to followers of athlctics-is still continuing in the ''Bulletin." The latest contributor, evidently an expert on tho matter, lays down the law as under:—"l don't profess to know anything about tho speed at which anyone ran any extraordinary distance, but I do want to say that the method of timing is at fault. To attempt to take the precise time occupied, by any person or thing -in moving from the point A to tho point B, under tho circumstances usually adopted in races, is impossible. I have seen scores of races, competitions against time, etc., and only once have I seen scientific timing. The method of pressing the catch lever of a more or less accurate stop-watch when the observer sees the runner or horse start (or thinks he sees it), and again "pressing it when he thinks he sees it reach the next point, ie ■ quite useless. Probably the most correct method, within a very small percentage of error, is the Bashforth chronograph. A projectile in its flight cuts a wire, the cutting of which makes or breaks an electrical circuit, and_ at a measured distance cuts a second wire, which in ita turn breaks or makes the circuit. A clockwork mechanism, actuated by the circuit, records the time elapsing between the two breaks. Another method, and possibly more correct, is .the pendulum method. A pendulum of given length will swing a given number ot times per second at a given distance from tho earth's centre. With tho pendulum already swinging, start the moving object, be it runner, projectile, or horse, and, in starting, let it break a circuit, which action releases the break on a drum of sensitised paper. A luminous point on a calculated pendulum will then give a record of beats, and the cessation of movement on the sensitised paper caused by tho breaking of another circuit when the moving body ronches the setond point, gives an absolute record. As one who, by reason of his profession, has to deal with minute and accurate calculations of time-spano-motion facts, let mo state Hint the ordinary stopwatch, controlled by the hand of a probably excited individual, is hopelessly inaccurate. Tor all work' requiring comparative accuracy (i.e., within, say, .01 per cent.) I uso the pendulum, corrected for temperature and specific attraction, and for more accurate work I use the pendulum-light ray apparatus. Of course, in these calculations, due allowance must be made for the retardation of the electric current and the dilatory manner in which light travels; but, after making the necessary corrections, one arrives at a vory close result. But don't make bets on the information given by a stopwatch, for, to mention only a few factors that affect its accuracy, there are:— ; (1) Temperature of the surroundings. (2) Height above sea-level. (3) Barometer reading. (i) Speed at which, escapement works accurately. . (5). Time required for escapement to gain this speed." "So Much for Yankee Records." Another contributor is very scornful on the system as conducted by our American cousins. He voices his scepticism in the following terms:—"Apropos the manufacturing of world's sprint records. Three years ago at Yale (U.S.A.) I saw a Yankee hurdler make an exhibition attempt on the world's figures for 120 hurdles (then 15 l-ssec, since reduced at the last Olympic Games in London to losec.),. The Yankee got a fiying start, beating the gun by about three yards; he had a fair wind behind him, and the time was given i\s 15 l-ssec—equalling tho world's best. The track (which was on the far side of the ground, away from the majority of the spectators) was a very short 120 yds.—it looked about 115 yds.—and on going across to inspect it at the close of tlio meeting, I discovered that it' was slightly downhill and that the hurdles were Bft., instead of tho regulation 3ft. Gin. So much for Yankee records. All freak records inside evens ought to bo passed out unless on the evidence of a 6pecial clock, with a minute dial not less than Gin. in diameter, so that, it oan be divided into tenths of a second, and etill leave tho hand a definite diebanco to move to record that fraction; this clock to be started automatically by eleotricity through the. ped. breaking a fine thread as he leaves the mark, and to be stopped by the record-breaker hitting; the worsted at the finish. Such a device would knock 'the 9 2-ssec. trip into outeT darkness. Incidentally, it would also burst a few reputations." Reg. Walker. Reg. Walker, the champion sprinter, has started upon hie preparation for tho English championship in July. The English correspondent of tho New York "Post" recently interviewed the little flyer, and gives his iinpressione thusly:— "In •conversation with R. E. Walker today the writer learned something of interest regarding the hero of the 100metre race at the Olympia. Games. The little Natal sprinter finds the English climate very different from the warmth and sunshine of South Africa, yet in spite of recent indisposition, he says it agrees with him fairly well. Walker is very anxious to put on a few pounds in weight, and as he has only just reached his majority, there is every reason to think he will fill out a bit. He considers his w.oak spot in springting is the disposition to slow up a trifle oetween the half-way and three-quarter mark, and he purposes devoting all his efforts to overcome this.. Many sprinters besides Walker start' well and finish strongly, after a slight ease at the halfway stage. This, of course, i$ a failing, and sonietim-is is due to a want of fitness. Once 'on edge,' however, a sprinter ought to travel faster every stride he takes, and B. J. Wefers (America's greatest sprinter) was a. splendid example of this. The mind plays a big part in sprinting, and athletes should concentrate their thoughts on the effort to incroase speed with each stride taken. To return to Walker and his intentions, he has a strong inclination to visit America, as he thinks (very rightly) that he could run faster on the better tracks and in the lighter atmosphere there than in England." Splendid Doings, Coming to matters nearer home, tho recent splendid performances of J. L. Davis, tl Melbourne University sprinter, have created quite a stir in Australian athletio circles. At the recent 'Varsity sports he cut a very wide swatho through the programme, winning the 100 yards, HO yards, 120 hurdles, and broad jump championships. In this lost event he cleared 23ft. 5Jm., thus breaking the previous Victorian record of 22ft. 2in., put up by H. H. Hnnter in 1901. The Australasian record is M. M.' Roseingrave's 23ft. 7Jin., and the New Zealand best "Jerry? , Kcddcll'a 23ft. 3in. The world's record (amateur) ie P. O'Connor's 21ft. lljin. in 1901. Davis also won the 300 yards handicap from scratch in 32 7-ssec, equalling G. A. Moir's Victorian record. 'J'he Australasian record for this is Nigel Barker's 31soc, and tho world's amateur best is 30 3-ssec. Loading up this was DanYs Victorian record of l(i 1-lOscc. for 120. yards hurdles, and his recent splendid performance of 37 2-ssec. for W0" yards hurdles, a new world's record, which the cables have since informed us he has reduced to 57 l-ssi;c ; Also during his preparation for the University meeting Davis was timed to run a trial quarter in 50 4-ssoc. After this there can bo no doubt that the young collegian ranks with the world's best as an all-round performer, and it will be scon what the New Zealand public missed when the projected Whcatlcy-Davis tour fell through last season. Important Homo Events. Details of two important English championship fixtures came to hand by the mail this vook—the 7-niilo walk iind 10milo run. Thirly-one pedestrians entered for the former event, and forty-one runners for the latter, and most of those. started. Tho wall.- was won by tho holder of tho title, E. J. Webb, the ■Olvmpic Games winner, and conqueror of Tlurry Kerr, in the. splendid timo of Slmiu, <

37sec. a championship record for the event. He led all the way, and his style is applauded by all the sporting critics. A Sensational Race, Tho 10 miles must have been a splendid spectatorial race. It is described in the "Daily Mail" as under:— ."No more sensational race than that winch was seen iu the ten miles running championship could be imagined. A. E. Wood, the holder, who won last year by nearly a quarter of a mile from W. Scott, of the Broughton Harriers, in 52mm. 40sec, was an absentee, one of ms legs having given way in training. Lfg trouble was also the cause of E. It. ™Ps sudden retirement when close up with the leaders at nine and a half miles l a S st Saturday's race, and it was left f° "!? Indian champion, Sergeant F. 1 i ■ l?\ thc 2ml Connaußht Rangers, and Scott to fight out the iinish. A furlong from the finish Scott shot away with a tremendous spurt and soon held an advantage of fifteen yards. ONeill momentarily dropped his arras, ami the race was regnrtled as all but over. Gritting his teeth and' clenching His corks, however, the soldier set himseli going again at top speed, and catch- ! n e, f. oit . t w e»ty yards from the tapo beat the latter by three yards in 52min •Jl 2-ssec. Brooklyn Harriers: A Fine Outing. My harrier correspondent sends the following interesting budget on last Saturdays club runs:— "An afternoon in the country was spent by the Brooklyn Harriers last Saturday, IV -\?K the invi tation of Mr. E. A. i'rost, W V H. Pnilp, F.M.B. Fisher, M.P., ana ur. Uuzens, vice-presidents, members drove out to Taita, where the buildings on Mr SI. Welch's farm was placed at tneir disposal as dressing sheds. A party numbering thirty-five in all made the journey and found the available time all too short. On arrival at Taita the pack immediately sot out on their run over the splendid country in the vicinitv, returning at the end of an hour to the smarting point. A"\ handicap run of a quarter-mile resulted in J. Don, C. Murray, and F. Hodson getting their noses past the tape before the arrival of tho rest of the pack. Slembers were then entertained in picnic fashion by their officials, who were. out in strong force As the shades, of darkness settled over the valley the runners commenced their return journey to town after giving three cheers for Mr. Welch. On the return to town, the Chants of tho club- members were conveyed to the hosts of the day by the captain, P. A. H ilton, 111 a short speech. Sir. R. A. Wright, in acknowledging, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a good number of members indulging in a clean and healthy sport, and assured them that his assistance at club functions would always be rendered where, possible. This afternoon a run will be held from Te Aro Baths, and next week a sealed handicap race will eventuate at Miramar over a similar course to that, hirhtrto used by the Wellington Club in its Palmer Cup races. Wellington Harriers: The Absentees. Evidently members of the Wellington Harriers found the Athletic Park a hard place to pass on Saturday last, as on the sound of the whistle at the rallying point at Island Bay only fifteen of tho nfty members responded. This is the smallest muster recorded for four seasons, and has been easily exceeded on many occasions when the weather conditions have been vile enough to keap all but the out-and-out enthusiasts away. However, those who absented themselves forfeited not only a good training run, which, in view of the coming Palmer Cup * race, would have been of greatvalue, but also what was generally voted ns easily the best outing of the season to ■ date W. Power set out with T< Johnson to •trail a course, and' succeeded admirably. An oxcellent route to Lyall Bay was discovered, and a return to Island Bay was made without covering any portion of the outgoing trail a second time. A proper "harrier finish" was held at the business end of the run, the pack starting in a bunch for a full half-mile'gallop home, in which all present started and nobody was badly left W. Press, who had been acting as pacemaker all afternoon, stuck to his position throughout the "run in" right up to within twenty yards of home, when ho was worn down and just, passed by F. Wilton. 8.. W. Curry finished third after succeeding in the stiff contract of shaking off C. Rowberry. To-day a club run from Ngahauranga will take place. The racing programme for the season is as follows:—.Tune 18—Palmer Cup, at Miramar; July 30—Steeplechase, at Trentham'; August 20—Championship, at Miramar; September 17—Ten-Jlile Handicap, at Hutt. . , In addition, tiro" sporting events will be decided later on, in tho form of points races, of which the first will be a contest between runners from the Old Country and' New Zealand-born—an event which should create a good race—and the second between teams selected by tho captain and vice-captain respectively. Professional Footballers' Status, The following extract from an interview appearing in an- Australian exchange is .of peculiar interest just at present, from,its bearing on the matter of the 6tatus of a professional footballer. This was disoussed in- this column at some length two weeks ago, and is to come before the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. on Monday night. Mt. J. H. Houprhion, ono of the managers of the English professional ,team, now in Sydney, is reported thus:—"Mr. Houghton expressed surprise that in this State suoh a line was drawn between the union and • tho league on the amateur question, T?rom what I know of the league,' he said, 'I should say that it ia as much "amateur" as the union itself. I cannot understand the debarring of league footballers froin other branches of athletics, because in England it hasn'i made any difference. Our players take port in many 6ports under the A.A.A., and as a matter ot fact one of our dubs'(Warrington) annually holds sports under the A.A.A. rules on their own ground. Then our players are supposed to be debarred i from the English Kugby Union, but it ie a recognised faot that many of them, on not getting places in the Northern Union teams, play for the other body. To Erove,' continued Mt Houghton, 'that nglish amateurism to-day is all bogus, we have players on this tour \tho are prepared to bring evidence that they received payment from English Rugby TJnion clubs. The whole thing should be exposed in its falsity. At all events, the Sports Federation here, when it debars league players from taking part in other athletic sports, is in direct opposition W the rule of the A.A.A. in England, that enables a Northern Union player to compete under its rulfts.'"